Lead Generation for Content Distribution Service

ABSTRACT

A content distribution service may provide lead information to content providers or other entities associated with a broadcast. The service may include both registered and unregistered (e.g., anonymous) users or subscribers that may each provide data associated with one or more subscriber attributes. Subscriber attribute information may be collected from a subscriber in a progressive manner such that sequentially small portions of data are collected over a period of time. The content distribution service may generate leads by collecting and determining subscriber attributes for each subscriber or anonymous user associated with the service. The leads may be generated in response to a request by a content provider or other requestor, or in response to an event such as the creation of a new broadcast.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/011,652, filed Jan. 21, 2011 and entitled “LeadGeneration for Content Distribution Service.” This application is alsorelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/969,443, filed Dec. 15,2010 and entitled “System and Method for Distributing Web Events viaDistribution Channels,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,420,030, issued Aug. 16,2016. The disclosures of the aforementioned are incorporated byreference including all references cited therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to data gathering. Moreparticularly, the present invention concerns the collection ofsubscriber data during a webcasting service and the use of such data togenerate a lead in response to a lead request.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of communication methods, such as print, radio, andtelevision, are available to effectively disseminate information to alarge targeted audience. Another viable communication method is internetbroadcasting or webcasting.

A number of webcasting services and vendors exist to enable a user ofany experience level to produce and deliver a live or on demand webcastto an audience. A webcasting service, for example, may require a user tosubscribe or register for the webcasting service by providing typicalregistration information (e.g., name, address, phone number, electronicmail address, birthday, occupation, etc.) and additional pertinentinformation such as geographic location, relevant business industry, orsalary information. Thus, in addition to webcasts, presentations, andaudio/video files, a webcasting service may collect and store a varietyof information about its registered users and content contributors. Thisinformation may be valuable to a variety of entities, including acontent contributor of the webcasting service or a third party,interested in finding a business lead.

There is a need for an improved system for generating a lead.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A content distribution service may provide lead information to contentproviders or other entities associated with a broadcast. A broadcast mayinclude video, audio, or other media content provided to one or moresubscribers over a network such as the Internet. A subscriber mayregister with the broadcasting service and provide data associated withone or more attributes, or remain anonymous as a non-registered user ofthe service. The content distribution or broadcasting service maygenerate leads by collecting and determining subscriber attributes foreach subscriber. The leads may be generated in response to a request bya content provider or other requestor, or in response to an event suchas the creation of a new broadcast. Subscriber attribute information maybe collected from a subscriber in a progressive manner such thatsequentially small portions of data are collected over a period of time.

In a first claimed embodiment, a method for generating a lead isclaimed. Through the method, a first set of subscriber attributes isreceived at a server in response to providing the subscriber with afirst service access. A second set of subscriber attributes at theserver in response to providing the subscriber with a second serviceaccess is also received. A lead generator engine receives a lead requestassociated with a desired attribute of a subscriber and identifies oneor more leads in response to the lead request, wherein the one or moreleads includes at least one subscriber having a subscriber attributethat corresponds to the desired attribute.

In a second claimed embodiment, a system for generating a lead isclaimed. The system includes a channel management module and a leadgenerator module. Execution of the channel management module by theprocessor receives a first set of subscriber attributes in response toproviding the subscriber with a first service access and receives asecond set of subscriber attributes in response to providing thesubscriber with a second service access. Execution of the lead generatormodule by the processor receives a lead request associated with adesired attribute of a subscriber and identifies one or more leads inresponse to the lead request, wherein the one or more leads include atleast one subscriber having a subscriber attribute that corresponds tothe desired attribute.

In a third claimed embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium isclaimed. The storage medium includes a computer program that isexecutable by a processor to perform a method for generating a lead. Themethod includes receiving a first set of subscriber attributes inresponse to providing a subscriber with a first service access,receiving a second set of subscriber attributes in response to providingthe subscriber with a second service access, receiving a lead requestassociated with a desired attribute of a subscriber, and identifying oneor more leads in response to the lead request, wherein the one or moreleads include at least one subscriber having a subscriber attribute thatcorresponds to the desired attribute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview diagram of a lead generating system usedto generate a lead in connection with a webcasting service.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary lead generatorengine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the different types of data associated withan exemplary lead generating system.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for generating alead in response to a lead request.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for identifyinga lead in response to a lead request.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computing system that may be used to implement anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology may provide a content broadcasting service whileproviding lead information to content providers or other entitiesassociated with a broadcast. The broadcasts may involve video, audio orother media content provided over a network such as the Internet to oneor more subscribers. The network based broadcast service may collect ordetermine attributes for each subscriber, and use the subscriberattributes to generate leads. The leads may be generated in response toa request by a person, for example a content provider or otherrequestor, or in response to an event such as the creation of a newbroadcast. Subscriber attribute information may be collected from asubscriber in a progressive manner such that sequentially small portionsof data are collected over a period of time. A subscriber may registerwith the broadcasting service of the present technology and provide dataassociated with one or more attributes, or remain anonymous as anon-registered user of the service. The present technology may collectcertain data, such as behavioral data, for anonymous and unregisteredusers which can be incorporated into the user attributes when the userregisters with the service.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview diagram of a lead generating system usedto generate a lead in connection with a webcasting service. The leadgenerating system 100 of FIG. 1 includes subscriber 105, requestor 110,clients (115 a, 115 b), network 120, web server 125, application server130, channel management module 135, lead generator engine 140, anddatabase 145.

Client 115 a includes network browser 116 and data file 117. Networkbrowser 116 may access a service and provide a content page, such as aweb page, provided by application server 130 and web server 125 overnetwork 120. Data file 117 may include content that is created andmaintained by network browser 116, such as a web page cookie file.

Client 115 b includes network browser 118 and data file 119. Networkbrowser 118 may access the network service and content pages provided byapplication server 130 and web server 125, and data file 119 may includecontent created and maintained by network browser 118, similar to datafile 117 with respect to network browser 116.

Clients 115 a and 115 b may be implemented by any of a variety ofcomputing devices, including a workstation, laptop computer, net bookcomputer, computing pad, mobile device, cellular telephone, or othercomputing device. Clients 115 a and 115 b are discussed in more detailbelow with respect to FIG. 6.

Lead generating system 100 may comprise a plurality of subscribers 105,requestors 110, and clients (115 a, 115 b) in connection with awebcasting service. Using client 115 a, for example, subscriber 105 maysubscribe (i.e. create an account) or register with a webcasting serviceprovided by application server 130 (i.e., channel management module135). Once subscriber 105 has registered for the webcasting service,subscriber 105 may perform a login (i.e., access subscriber account) andmay view a live or on demand webcast provided by another registeredsubscriber of the webcasting service. Subscriber 105 may also be acontent contributor and access the webcasting service to produce and/ordeliver a webcast to one or more other registered subscribers.

In one embodiment, subscriber 105 is an anonymous user of a contentbroadcasting system in which the present technology is utilized. Ananonymous user may be one who has not subscribed, registered, or createdan account with the webcasting service. The anonymous user may use thewebcasting service to view a webcast provided by a registered subscriberwithout first providing identifying data that may be used as asubscriber attribute. The anonymous user may, however, be identifiedand/or tracked by a data file (e.g., web cookie, browser cookie, or HTTPcookie) stored at a network server or stored locally at the anonymoususer's machine (e.g., client device) by a network browser. When theanonymous user subsequently registers with the service (i.e., becomes aregistered user), the present system may store the data in the storeddata file along with other subscriber attributes.

When registering for the webcast service, subscriber 105 may be requiredto input or provide via client 115 a registration information and/orsubscriber data, including but not limited to name, address, electronicmail (e-mail) address, country, phone number, birthday, age, gender,company name, company size, industry, and occupation. Subscriber 105 mayalso be required to input or provide other pertinent information orsubscriber data such as time zone, geographic location, or salaryinformation. Subscriber data may be stored in database 145. Subscriberdata may be associated with subscriber 105 having an account with thewebcast service.

Lead generating system 100 may include database 145 for storing andmanaging data. Database 145 may store webcasts, presentations,audio/video files, and other data for use with the webcast serviceprovided by application server 130. Database 145 may be separate from orintegrated with application server 130. Database 145 may also store dataassociated with each subscriber 105 or requestor 110 (e.g. registrationinformation, contact information). Database 145 may also store anyupdates to subscriber data received from/provided by subscriber 105.

Requestor 110 may be a registered subscriber (i.e., content contributor)of the webcasting service provided by application server 130. Forexample, requestor 110 may be a content provider of webcasts relating togreen technology, architecture, and engineering and may be looking forattendees for an upcoming webcast. Requestor 110 may also be a thirdparty (i.e., not a content contributor) interested in identifyingbusiness leads and receiving relevant information about subscriber 105.For example, requestor 110 may be a provider of consulting servicesrelated to data protection, privacy, and security and may be looking fora new, potential client i.e., subscriber 105) interested in acquiringthose services.

Clients (115 a, 115 b) are inclusive of a general purpose computingdevice capable of accessing information over a network like the systemillustrated in FIG. 6. Clients (115 a, 115 b) may be implemented ascomputing devices such as workstations, servers, lap top computers,mobile devices, or other computing devices that can communicate overnetwork 120. Clients (115 a, 115 b) include software and/or hardwarecapable of sending, receiving, and processing data such as subscriberdata, webcasts, presentations, and audio/video files. Clients (115 a,115 b) may receive data or a request from subscriber 105 or requestor110, and send the data or request over network 120 to application server130 for processing.

Network 120 is inclusive of any communication network such as theInternet, Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), intranet,extranet, private network, or other network. Application server 130 maybe accessed via optional web server 125. Web server 125 may receive andprocess data and/or requests from clients (115 a, 115 b). For example,subscriber 105 may request and provide data to become a registeredsubscriber with the webcasting service provided by application server130. Processing the data and/or request may include sending data tochannel management module 135 or a request to lead generator engine 140on application server 130, receiving a response from channel managementmodule 135 or lead generator engine 140, and sending a response or datato web server 125. Web server 125 may then forward the response or datato the requesting client (115 a, 115 b).

Application server 130 may be implemented in a general computing devicethat otherwise communicates with database 145 and web server 125. Anexample of such a device is the general computing system illustrated inFIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 1, application server 130 includeschannel management module 135 and lead generator engine 140.

Channel management module 135 may by executable by a processor toprovide web content (i.e., webcast) to a subscriber via a distributionchannel. An example of a channel management module is described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/969,443 filed Dec. 15, 2010 and entitled“System and Method for Distributing Web Events via DistributionChannels,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Channel management module 135 may also be executable to process data ora request from subscriber 105 or requestor 110 to subscribe or registerwith the webcasting service provided by application server 130. Forexample, channel management module 135 may create a subscriber accountand register subscriber 105 with the webcasting service by processingsubscriber data such as contact information and/or other pertinentinformation provided by subscriber 105. Subscriber 105 may also providea webcast and/or other content (e.g., images, audio, video, documents,slide shows, and other digital content). Channel management module 135may be executable to receive content from subscriber 105 and present anddistribute the content to other registered webcasting servicesubscribers. Channel management module 135 may also be executable toallow subscriber 105 to access current or past content provided by otherwebcast service subscribers.

Application server 130 may also include lead generator engine 140. Leadgenerator engine 140 and its various components may be stored in memoryand executable by a processor of a network computing device to detect alead request, identify a lead, and provide the identified lead to arequestor. The lead generation process is discussed in more detail inFIGS. 2, 4, and 5 below. Lead generator engine 140 and the correspondingnetwork computing device may be a stand-alone software and/or hardwarecomponent as illustrated in FIG. 1. Lead generator engine 140 and thecorresponding network computing device may be an integrated enterprisesystem or integrated directly with client 115A, 115B.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the lead generator engine 140 ofFIG. 1. Lead generator engine 140 may be executable by one or moreprocessors of a network computing device, such as application server130, to receive a request and/or data from subscriber 105 or requestor110, detect a lead request, identify a lead in response to a leadrequest, provide an identified lead to requestor 110, and store data indatabase 145. Lead generator engine 140, which is stored in memory ofapplication server 130 of FIG. 1 or an appropriate network computingdevice, may include various modules such as lead generator module 220and lead provider module 230. Any one component of lead generator engine140 or any combination thereof may process any request or data receivedfrom subscriber 105 or requestor 110. Although lead generator engine 140is shown as having three modules, the modules in FIG. 2 are exemplaryand alternative embodiments may comprise additional or fewer elementsand still be within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Lead generator module 220 is executable by a processor to automatically(i.e., without input by a system administrator, subscriber 105, orrequestor 110) receive a lead request associated with a desiredattribute of a subscriber, and identify and generate a lead followingthe receipt of a lead request. A lead request may be initiated by arequestor 110 or automatically initiated in response to an event. Whengenerated by a requestor 110, lead generator module 220 may receive adesired subscriber attribute from requestor 110. An automaticallygenerated lead request may be generated, for example, in response todetecting a new broadcast scheduling. Lead generator module 220 may beexecutable to compare the desired attributes indicated by requestor 110to subscriber data stored in database 145. Database 145 may be accessedby lead generator module 220 or another module to locate and identify aregistered subscriber 105 (or anonymous user) having one or more of thedesired attributes identified by requestor 110.

Lead provider module 230 is executable by a processor to provide one ormore leads identified by lead generator module 220 to requestor 110.Lead provider module 230 may allow requestor 110 to manage the leads viaa user interface, for example, by sorting the identified leads by anydesired manner (i.e., sort by relevance, by geographic location, etc.).Lead provider module 230 is described in more detail in FIG. 5 below.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of different types of data which may beassociated with the lead generating system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustratesvarious levels of data that may be collected at various times in thecontext of lead generating system 100 via clients (115 a, 115 b) andtransmitted to application server 130 for processing. Various types ofdata may also be collected at various times from or based on thepreferences, habits, behavioral patterns, and/or viewing history ofsubscriber 105 and be used for developing and generating a lead.

Platform data 310 may include subscriber attributes and othersubscriber-related data collected from subscriber 105, requestor 110, oranother source. The data may be collected at the time of subscriberregistration, before registration, or after registration.

A subscriber attribute may be collected before a user is registered withthe service provided by the present technology. As such, the presenttechnology allows a subscriber to experience content while being“anonymous” (i.e., not registered) to the service. For example,subscriber 105 may access a broadcast of content without affirmativelyproviding any information to the service provided by the presenttechnology. Rather, subscriber 105 may simply access a content page(i.e., web page) providing the service and receive the content networkbrowser 116. In this manner, the subscriber may participate in at leasta portion of the services provided by web server 125 and applicationserver 130 while remaining “anonymous”, i.e. not registered with theservice.

Information for an anonymous subscriber (e.g., subscriber attributes)may be collected based on the subscriber's activities with the webservice. Upon receiving content provided by web server 125 via network120, network browser 116 may create a data file, (e.g. a web cookie)based on the subscriber's activity with the service. The data file 117may store the user's activity and indicate content viewed by the userand other data. The data file 117 may be transmitted to web server 125by network browser 116, for example during a request by the user to theservice. The data file may then be updated by network browser 116 uponreceiving a response corresponding to a request to the service.

Subscriber attributes may be collected based on actions of a registereduser of the service. A user may register with the service by providingbasic information required to create an account with the service. Forexample, subscriber 105 may be required to provide registrationinformation and/or subscriber data such as subscriber name, address,e-mail address, country, phone number, birthday, age, gender, companyname, company size, industry, and occupation. Subscriber 105 may also berequired to input or provide other pertinent information or subscriberdata such as time zone, geographic location, or salary information.Platform data 310 may also include preferences of subscriber 105.Subscriber 105 may, for example, indicate preferences regardingparticular webcasts topics or subject matter, or viewing times ordurations. Additional subscriber attributes may be collected based onuser behavior and behavior patterns, such as time of access of theservice, content viewed, and other behavior of the subscriber within theservice provided.

Subscriber attributes may be collected from a user in a progressivemanner. In some embodiments, upon requesting to view a first broadcast,a user may be prompted to provide a minimal amount of information. Theinformation may be used to create subscriber attributes. Upon receivingthe minimal first set of subscriber information (i.e., attributes), thecontent is provided to the user as a first service access (e.g., thefirst requested broadcast). When the user requests access to a secondbroadcast, another set of attributes may be collected from the user.Upon receiving the second set of attributes, the user may be providedwith the second service access (i.e., the second requested broadcast).In this manner, subscriber attributes may be progressively collectedfrom a user over time, for example collected in incremental sets ofattributes for each access of the service. Collecting attribute dataprogressively may encourage a user to explore and participate inbroadcasts and other content offerings.

In one embodiment, subscriber 105 may be prompted to provideinformation/answers to questions using a standard form. The standardform may include one or more drop-down menu of pre-set answer choices.The standard form may also allow subscriber 105 to answer a question orprovide information by inputting the answer or information in a text box(i.e., custom field).

Channel data (320A, 320B) may also be collected from subscriber 105. Thewebcasting service may have multiple channels. Through a ‘distributionchannel’ or ‘channel,’ a subscriber (i.e., channel owner) may create orpublish original content (i.e., content chosen or created by subscriber105) and/or publish content from another source or channel for viewingby another subscriber. Although channel data (320A, 320B) is shown inFIG. 3 to correspond to two blocks (i.e., two channels), the webcastingservice may include a plurality of channels and collect channel data foreach channel. A channel may include a one or more webcasts or other webcontent based on or related to a particular subject matter, category,audience, community or another group. For example, one channel maydistribute webcasts and content related to environment law andregulation while another channel may be directed towards media andmarketing.

In order to subscribe to the channel (e.g., review content orparticipate in a webcast from the channel), a channel owner may requiresubscriber 105 to provide additional information (i.e., channel data(320A, 320B)). Additional information may include any information thechannel owner may want to know about subscriber 105. For example,channel data (320A, 320B) may include the specialty or expertise ofsubscriber 105, what other related channels subscriber 105 subscribesto, whether subscriber 105 is interested in acquiring a particularservice or product, a price range that subscriber 105 is willing to payto acquire a particular product or service, how many webcasts or webevents subscriber 105 participates in/views per month, and other data.

Webcast data (330A, 330B, 330C, 330D) may also be collected fromsubscriber 105. A webcast or other content may be distributed throughone or more channels. A channel owner may require subscriber 105interested in participating in a webcast provided by the channel toprovide additional data (i.e., webcast data (330A, 330B, 330C, 330D)).Additional data may include any information the channel owner may wantto know about subscriber 105. Although webcast data (330A, 330B, 330C,330D) is shown in FIG. 3 to correspond to four blocks (i.e., fourwebcasts), the webcasting service may include a plurality of channels(providing a plurality of webcasts) and collect webcast data for eachwebcast distributed by a channel. For example, webcast data (330A, 330B,330C, 330D) may include the reason why subscriber 105 is interested inthe webcast (i.e., goal(s) of attending the webcast), whether subscriber105 is interested in other webcasts similar to the webcast beingpresented, whether the subscriber 105 has/is attending another webcastsimilar to the webcast being presented, and other data.

Application server 130 may receive platform data 310, channel data(320A, 320B), and webcast data (330A, 330B, 330C, 330D) from subscriber105 and may store the data in database 145 as subscriber attributes.Platform data 310, channel data (320A, 320B), and webcast data (330A,330B, 330C, 330D) may be associated with subscriber 105 through theaccount subscriber 105 created with the webcasting service. Applicationserver 130 (i.e., channel management module 135) may also promptsubscriber 105 or requestor 110 to provide any updates to any previouslyprovided data (e.g. webcast, channel, webcast data) and store such dataat database 145. In one embodiment, application server 130 (i.e.,channel management module 135) may automatically pre-populate or fill-inany data previously provided by subscriber 105 at one data level if suchdata is required at another level. For example, if during registrationfor the webcasting service, subscriber 105 provides a job title,industry, and company name, subscriber 105 will not have to re-entersuch data if/when subscriber 105 chooses to subscribe to a specificchannel or attend a particular webcast. Application server 130 mayautomatically provide or pre-populate the fields if/when subscriber 105is prompted for such information.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating a lead inresponse to a lead request. The steps identified in FIG. 4 (and theorder thereof) are exemplary and may include various alternatives,equivalents, or derivations thereof including but not limited to theorder of execution of the same.

At step 410, application server 130 may receive subscriber data fromsubscriber 105. Subscriber data may include platform data 310, channeldata (320A, 320B), webcast data (330A, 330B, 330C, 330D), and any otherdata associated with subscriber 105. Subscriber data may also includedata regarding the preferences, habits, behavioral patterns, and/orviewing history of subscriber 105. The application server 130 stores thereceived subscriber data as one or more subscriber attributes indatabase 145 at step 420.

In one embodiment, application server 130 requests subscriber 105 toverify the accuracy of the subscriber data. For example, applicationserver 130 may request that subscriber 105 verify the accuracy ofsubscriber data collected during registration with the webcastingservice or registration with a distribution channel or webcast. Inanother embodiment, application server 130 may query subscriber 105 foradditional subscriber data not previously provided to application server130. For example, subscriber data may be collected progressively as thesubscriber accesses a service such as a broadcast. Any additionalsubscriber data (i.e., updates to existing data or new data) receivedfrom subscriber 105 as a result of the query may be stored at database145.

At step 430, lead generator module 220 receives a lead request. A leadmay include any individual, group, or community that possesses one ormore attributes. A lead request may be a specific request initiated byrequestor 110 and may identify one or more desired attributes of asubscriber. A lead request may also be initiated automatically, forexample in response to , a newly scheduled or calendared webcast forpresentation, the detection of an upcoming scheduled webcast (i.e.,webcast to be presented within a predetermined time period such as thenext week or three days), a completed webcast, and registration for aparticular webcast or event. The resulting automatically generated leadsmay be provided to an owner of the corresponding webcast. A lead requestmay also specify subscriber participation or attributes in connectionwith a platform, channel, or webcast, such as submission of subscriber105 feedback or comments regarding a webcast or other content, asubscriber 105 question or query, a subscriber 105 response to a poll orsurvey (e.g., vote), subscriber 105 interaction with a social network orother relevant website, the retrieval of embedded source code,data/information sharing with other subscribers (e.g., contactinformation), or any other event.

At step 440, lead generator module 220 may identify a lead in responseto the lead request received at step 430. At step 450, lead generatorengine 140 (via lead provider module 230) provides the identified leadto requestor 110. The steps of identifying and generating a lead inresponse to a lead request (step 440) and providing an identified leadto a requestor 110 (step 450) are described in more detail in FIG. 5below.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for identifying a lead inresponse to a lead request. The steps identified in FIG. 5 (and theorder thereof) are exemplary and may include various alternatives,equivalents, or derivations thereof including but not limited to theorder of execution of the same.

At step 510, lead generator module 220 receives from requestor 110information regarding a desired subscriber attribute. A subscriberattribute may be generated from or associated with subscriber datapreviously provided to application server 130 (e.g., during registrationfor the webcasting service or registration for a channel or webcast).For example, a subscriber attribute may be the industry, salary range,or geographic location information associated with subscriber 105. Asubscriber attribute may also include information about the viewinghistory, behavioral patterns, or preferences of subscriber 105 inconnection with the webcasting service. Viewing history or behavioralpatterns, for example, may include the number or type(s) of webcastssubscriber 105 has viewed within a specific time period.

In order to receive a relevant lead, requestor 110 may identify orspecify one or more desired subscriber attributes of interest (includingdesired ranges). For example, if a requestor 110 is a consultant inmedia and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry and looking for alead (i.e. potential new customer) interested in consulting services,requestor 110 may request a lead. Requestor 110 may then indicatedesired subscriber attributes such as “Marketing Director” (job title),“California” (geographical location), and “Pharmaceuticals” (industry).As another example, if requestor 110 is presenting a webcast on youthtrends in social media and is looking for leads for attendees to thewebcast, requestor 110 may request a lead and indicate desiredsubscriber attributes such as “Student” (job title) and “age 18-24”(range). In one embodiment, requestor 110 may request a lead to asubscriber 105 based on the actions, behavioral patterns or viewinghistory of the subscriber. For example, requestor 110 may specify anattribute as a subscriber who has viewed a webcast regardingenvironmental law (particular topic/type) in the last six months (timeperiod).

At step 520, lead generator module 220 may access database 145 toretrieve identification information of one or more subscribers based onthe desired attributes indicated by requestor 110 at step 510. Leadgenerator module 220 may send a query with the desired attributesindicated by requestor 110 to database 145. Database 145 receives thequery, identifies subscribers with attributes that match the desiredattributes, and transmits the matching subscriber information back tolead generator module 220.

At step 530, lead provider module 230 may provide the one or moresubscribers identified at step 520 to requestor 110. The lead (i.e.,identified subscriber) may be provided to requestor 110 via electronicmail (e-mail), SMS text message, instant messenger, chat, user interfaceprovided within a content page via a network browser, or any otheravailable communication medium. In one embodiment, leads may bepresented to requestor 110 by statistics and/or in the order ofrelevance. The leads may be presented in order from the lead having thehighest probability of a match to the lowest probability. For example,if requestor 110 identified five subscriber attributes, the identifiedleads having all five attributes are presented first as those having a100% match, while those leads having only three or one of the fiveattributes are presented later with a lower percentage match. In oneembodiment, lead provider module 230 may provide leads to requestor 110automatically at predetermined time intervals (e.g., monthly, weekly,daily).

In yet another embodiment, lead provider module 230 may invite (orsuggest to) requestor 110 to view another or updated set of leads. Forexample, where requestor 110 has previously requested and received a setof leads from lead provider module 230, lead provider module 230 may, ata later time, present a set of additional leads to requestor 110 thatwere previously not available.

In one embodiment, lead provider module 230 may bill requestor 110 forany provided leads. Lead provider module 230 may, for example, billrequestor 110 for each lead provided. In another embodiment, leadprovider module 230 may bill requestor 110 for the number of desiredattributes. For example, a request for leads where only three subscriberattributes are identified may be billed at a lower rate than a morespecific request for leads having six or seven subscriber attributes. Inyet another example, requestor 110 may be billed for leads distributedon a particular time interval. For example, a set of leads may bereleased to the requestor 110 on a weekly or monthly basis and requestor110 may be billed accordingly.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computing system 600 that may be used to implementthe present technology. System 600 of FIG. 6 may be used to implementclients 115 a and 115 b, web server 125, application server 130, anddatabase 145 in the context of the system of FIG. 1. The computingsystem 600 of FIG. 6 includes one or more processors 610 and main memory620. Main memory 620 stores, in part, instructions and data forexecution by processors 610. Main memory 620 can store the executablecode when in operation. Main memory 620 may also include a database suchas database 145 illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 600 of FIG. 6 furtherincludes a mass storage device 630, portable storage device 640, outputdevices 650, user input devices 660, a display system 670, andperipheral device(s) 680.

The components shown in FIG. 6 are depicted as being connected via asingle bus 690. The components, however, may be connected through one ormore data transport means. For example, processors unit 610 and mainmemory 620 may be connected via a local microprocessor bus, and the massstorage device 630, peripheral device(s) 680, portable storage device640, and display system 670 may be connected via one or moreinput/output (I/O) buses.

Mass storage device 630, which may be implemented with a magnetic diskdrive or an optical disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device forstoring data and instructions for use by processors 610. Mass storagedevice 630 may store the system software for implementing embodiments ofthe present invention for purposes of loading software into main memory620.

Portable storage device 640 operates in conjunction with a portablenon-volatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, compact disk orDigital video disc, to input and output data and code to and from thecomputing system 600 of FIG. 6. The system software for implementingembodiments of the present invention may be stored on such a portablemedium and input to the computing system 600 via the portable storagedevice 640.

Input devices 660 provide a portion of a user interface. Input devices660 may include an alpha-numeric keypad, such as a keyboard, forinputting alpha-numeric and other information, or a pointing device,such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys.Additionally, the system 600 as shown in FIG. 6 includes output devices650. Examples of suitable output devices include speakers, printers,network interfaces, and monitors.

Display system 670 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or othersuitable display device. Display system 670 may receive textual andgraphical information, and process the information for output to thedisplay device.

Peripheral device(s) 680 may include any type of computer support deviceto add additional functionality to the computer system. For example,peripheral device(s) 680 may include a modem or a router.

The components contained in the computing system 600 of FIG. 6 are thosetypically found in computer systems that may be suitable for use withembodiments of the present invention and are intended to represent abroad category of such computer components that are well known in theart. Thus, the computing system 600 of FIG. 6 may be a personalcomputer, hand held computing device, telephone, mobile computingdevice, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or anyother computing device. The computer may also include different busconfigurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, etc.Various operating systems may be used including Unix, Linux, Windows,Macintosh OS, Palm OS, and other suitable operating systems. The stepsof the method of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 (and its various alternatives) may beperformed by a module or engine stored on a computer-readable storagemedium (e.g., optical disc, memory card, etc.) comprising instructionsexecutable by a processor of a computing device.

The foregoing detailed description of the technology herein has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order tobest explain the principles of the technology and its practicalapplication to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize thetechnology in various embodiments and with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the technology be defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating a lead, the methodcomprising: receiving a first set of subscriber attributes at a serverin response to providing the subscriber with a first service access;receiving a second set of subscriber attributes at the server inresponse to providing the subscriber with a second service access,receiving a lead request associated with a desired attribute of asubscriber; and executing a lead generator module stored in memory toidentify one or more leads in response to the lead request, the one ormore leads including at least one subscriber having a subscriberattribute that corresponds to the desired attribute.